Friday, February 24, 2012

Which way do I go?

I've been in a funk the last couple months because, to put it bluntly, I don't know what to do with my life.  My children keep growing up, becoming more independent, more amazing, which is just what I intended, but I have worked myself right out of a job. They just don't need me anymore.  Well, they need me, but not in the same time-intensive way that they did when they were little.

Which means I have a lot more time on my hands.

And I don't know what to do with it.

Oh, I have options.  I could get a job, a paying one, as a nurse, probably.  Or I could go back to school, and get my masters degree, something that is on my bucket list. Or I could do more genealogy work, or more volunteer work, or keep working at the cello....really, the possibilities are endless.  And I am so blessed to have so many opportunities.  Except that I don't know what to do with them.

Here are the things I do know:

  1. My kids are my priority.  I want to be there when they leave for school in the morning and when they get home after school and I want to go to all of their games, performances, etc.
  2. I want to do something that is new and challenging. 
  3. I want to be busy, not insanely so, but enough that when I get to the end of the day, I can look at it and say I accomplished something.
Okay, I thought that list would be longer.  See why I'm having a hard time deciding?  

I took this to my husband, who gives great advice, and he suggested I try volunteering with some organizations/companies that I think I might have an interest in.  He also suggested taking a few classes at the colleges here to sort of sample different pursuits.  

It feels like I'm in high school again, trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

Any ideas?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's


Happy Valentine's Day!  I woke up SOOO early this morning to make a breakfast for my family.  In fact, I was so worried that I wouldn't wake up in time (I don't like to set an alarm) that I woke up every half hour from 2 until 6.  I may have to take a nap later.....

We had waffles with strawberries and raspberries and whipped cream and the girls got those yummy straws that make your milk chocolate-flavored when you drink through them.  David and I got them each a small gift and the little elephant is for our dog Ginger.  She will have it torn apart in no time.

The beautiful roses are from my David to me!  I love getting flowers and he is so good at making sure I get enough to be content.  I love my husband!  I love my girls!  And I love my missionary son who also received a little box of Valentine treats.  Blessed am I.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Jenna = "God's Gracious Gift"

My Jenna is 17 today - I am a little bit in shock.

But I cannot deny that this gorgeous creature who calls me "Mom" has become a grown-up young lady.

She is truly amazing, on so many levels.  Let me tell you about some of them:


  • She is smart as a whip. She has the vocabulary of the full-size edition of the Webster's Dictionary.  It's from all the reading she does, every day, for as much time as she can.  The girl can speed-read, and she understands the nuances and intricacies of the most challenging of plots.  
  • She is incredibly beautiful.  The blue eyes, the long eyelashes, the curly hair, the long, lean frame.  But really, all of that is only a lovely covering for the beauty within: a gentle heart, an easy-going nature, a desire to do good and be good.
  • She is a fighter.  She keeps this hidden behind a smile and friendly demeanor, but she won't give up. You can see this especially when she competes in sports:  you think she's this nice girl until she knocks you down to get the ball.  But she does help you up again afterwards. 
  • She is deeply spiritual.  She knows where she came from, why she's here, and where she's going. She loves the Lord, trusts in Him, and places her life in His hands.  Her faith is a deep well that she dips into regularly and  shares freely with others. 
  • She is full of fun little quirks, like: hiding food in her room so that she always has a good treat, learning to play the ukelele, reading the Harry Potter books over and over and over, wearing flip-flops and shorts in the snow, and watching Asian cartoons on Youtube.

One of my dearest memories of Jenna is when she was a baby and we were in her room together.  I was talking on the phone to a friend and Jenna was crawling around, playing with her toys and looking at her books (yes, even then).  She climbed into my lap, snuggled in, and fell asleep.  I was so surprised because this girl liked to sleep in her bed, and only in her bed.  I told my friend what had happened, and she said, "You are so blessed to have that experience."

She was right.  Because I have Jenna in my life, I am so blessed.

Love you, my Jenna. Happy birthday!